Brief description

This module will study the impact of human societies on soil chemistry, and will consider the environmental consequences to plant and animal (including human) life. The module will include a historical approach to many of the issues covered, and will focus on many examples from the UK although, where appropriate, case studies elsewhere will also be provided.

Aims

The aim of this module is to provide students with knowledge of some of the environmental and applied issues that centre around soils, by concentrating primarily on how human beings have either deliberately or involuntarily altered the chemical status of this important resource.

Module Skills

Problem solving

This module addresses issues on the human use of soils, and the deliberate or otherwise modification of this important natural resource. Students will learn to identify key issues relating to this issue and modification, and will acquire knowledge regarding how to address soil related problems.

Research skills

A range of research skills (e.g. the acquisition of knowledge and relevant data and its handling) are developed in the 2nd year undergraduate programmes. These will be employed in the production of the extended course essay and examination work.

Communication

Writing communication skills will be assessed in the course essay and examination work, and discussion will be encouraged in class (the latter will not be assessed).

Improving own Learning and Performance

Students will be encouraged to use, and guidance will be given in lectures, of appropriate readings of library and web-based material.

Information Technology

Data and knowledge can be acquired from appropriate web sources that will be of use for both the examination and the extended course essay. The latter will be word processed, and the use of other IT packages for analysis and the presentation of results will be encouraged.

Personal Development and Career planning

The themes covered in this module are applicable to modern human society, and students will be made aware of the potential to pursue a career in applied soil science.